The St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency is accepting applications for grants from its $800,000 Community Development and Environmental Improvement Program.

The program is aimed at providing clear and demonstrable benefits to St. Lawrence County communities.

Eligible applicants include communities, not-for-profit organizations, institutions and other incorporated entities in St. Lawrence County that are planning to undertake such a project. Applications are due by Feb. 28.

The program will be funded by proceeds from sale of the agency’s low cost hydropower allotment once it is able to execute its power contract with the New York Power Authority.

Priority is given to those projects which most clearly support and advance community development, environmental improvement, and employment opportunities. Examples of such activities are projects that:

• support a local or county Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy or similar community development plan.

• promote local entrepreneurs and small business development.

• target funds to maintain or rehabilitate existing infrastructure that relates to economic development projects that service an existing business/industry or new business.

• target funds to extend existing infrastructure related to economic development projects (such as infrastructure that services existing businesses, industry or new businesses).

• utilize Brownfield sites and/or underutilized/abandoned properties and buildings.

• promote building development or redevelopment for business use.

• support development of research/technology/IT facilities and businesses.

The level and form of assistance will be determined for each program and may include loans, grants or other means of financial assistance. Projects which either leverage or have demonstrated an ability to leverage other sources of financing are preferred. Funds may be used for real estate acquisition, building construction and rehabilitation, machinery and equipment, and working capital.

Info, applications: Richard Williams, St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency Local Development Corporation, 379-9806, rwilliams@slcida.com. The application can also be accessed and submitted via the IDALDC website at www.slcldc.com/slrvra.